Extinction Rebellion members found guilty over… and fined just £100

Extinction Rebellion members whose printing press blockade stopped newspapers being delivered to shops across UK are found guilty over eco-stunt… and fined just £100

• The eco-protesters blocked the entrances to print works on September 4, 2020
• The protesters used vans, bamboo structures and a boat to cause disruption

Six eco-protesters were yesterday fined as little as £100 for a printing press blockade which prevented newspapers being delivered to shops.

The stunt saw more than a million papers and magazines destroyed and recycled as lorries were barred from entering or leaving the site for nine hours, a court heard.

More than 100 Extinction Rebellion activists blocked entrances to printworks at Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Knowsley, Merseyside, on September 4, 2020, stopping the distribution of 3.5million newspapers – including the Daily Mail.

The mob, who used vans, bamboo structures and even a boat, claimed they wanted to send a message about global warming.

Yesterday’s conviction of six people for aggravated trespass over the Knowsley blockade brings the total of convictions over the two stunts to at least 28 – although no one is believed to have been sent to prison.

Protesters blocked print works in locations such as Broxbourne, Hertfordshire

Former zoology student Lydia Dibben, of no fixed address, was fined £100

Former zoology student Lydia Dibben, of no fixed address, was fined £100.

The 24-year-old daughter of a jewellery designer now works for a market garden for her bed and board.

Stuart Akroyd, 47, a father-of-five who ‘survives on donations’ as he does not take benefits for ‘ideological’ reasons, was fined the same amount.

Also of no fixed address, he has previous convictions including obstructing a constable.

Former zoology student Lydia Dibben, of no fixed address, was fined £100

Thomas Dalton, 23, of Bristol, who the court heard earns £25,000 a year, was fined £300

Stuart Akroyd, 47, a father-of-five who ‘survives on donations’ as he does not take benefits for ‘ideological’ reasons, was fined £100

William Morgan, 40, a private tutor from Sheffield who has a maths PhD, was given a 12-month conditional discharge, as was apprentice carpenter Rhiann Beaumont, 27, of no fixed address. Roman Paluch-Machnik, 29, of Hanwell, London, was fined £100 while Thomas Dalton, 23, of Bristol, who the court heard earns £25,000 a year, was fined £300.

All six, none of whom gave evidence at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, were each ordered to pay £750 towards prosecution costs plus a victim surcharge.

Earlier Thomas Challinor, prosecuting, said whatever the ‘righteousness or otherwise’ of their cause, the economic damage was considerable.

William Morgan, 40, a private tutor from Sheffield who has a maths PhD, was given a 12-month conditional discharge

Apprentice carpenter Rhiann Beaumont, 27, of no fixed address was given a 12-month conditional discharge

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